Was ISIS Created By The CIA? Many Arabs Think So

Conspiracies theories always seem outrageous at first view, but once in a while one comes along with a little bit of truth to it. Though there is scant evidence, one such theory currently popular in the Arab world is the idea that the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) was actually created by the American CIA with the purpose of re-opening Iraq to another U.S. invasion, reported The New York Times.

However outlandish the theory may sound, it is quite popular among the people of Iraq. Shiite Muslims have organized several demonstrations with the intent of preventing President Barack Obama’s administration from re-entering the country with the pretense of protecting it from ISIS. Haidar al-Assadi, a 40-year-old participant of one such march, told NYT that he believed the United States would do anything in order to control Iraq without facing worldwide condemnation, even using the CIA to orchestrate ISIS’ acts of terror.

“The Islamic State is a clear creation of the United States, and the United States is trying to intervene again using the excuse of the Islamic State… The main reason Obama is saying he will not invade again is because he knows the Islamic resistance [of the Shiite militias] and he does not want to lose a single soldier.”

Shiite Muslims, who are currently the majority in Iraq, have been extremely vocal about their fears that ISIS will be used as an excuse to invade Iraq again. Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr has repeated the CIA theory at the demonstrations he holds throughout the country, often attended by high ranking government officials. A deputy prime minister, Bahaa al-Araji, recently spoke at one such gathering, and indicated that he also believed that the CIA planted ISIS for its own benefit.

“We know about who made Daesh (shorthand for ISIS).”

But even Araji was skittish when questioned about his belief that the CIA founded ISIS. When pressed by a reporter while leaving the event, he curtly answered while disappearing into the back of his car.

“I don’t know. I am one of the poor people. But we fear very much. Thank you!”

Sunni Muslims have also joined outcries that the CIA has a hand in ISIS. Omar al-Jabouri, 31, told NYT that he also believes that the CIA and ISIS are intertwined.

Such theories may be difficult to stomach, and they certainly aren’t being taken lightly by the U.S. government. The theories are also popular in Lebanon, where ISIS has also begun to make advances. The U.S. embassy in Beirut has publicly denounced such rumors, reported BBC News.

“Any suggestion that the United States ever considered recognizing the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as anything other than a terrorist organization, or had any role in its creation, is patently false. Allegations circulating in Lebanon to the contrary are a fabrication.”